At least 35 people are confirmed dead and as many as 40 more are wounded following a shooting at Istanbul’s Reina nightclub. Around 1:15 AM, January 1, assailants dressed in Santa Claus costumes opened fire on a crowd of 600 patrons. Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin has classified the incident as a terrorist attack. New York Times has reported the following: “Mr. Sahin said the attackers — initial reports said there had been as many as three — had fired on the police before heading inside the club.”

Gov. Sahin described the attack as beginning outside of the club:

“One person first kills the police officer outside, and then a civilian…Inside, he rained bullets brutally, mercilessly over innocent people who were there just to celebrate the New Year and have fun.”

UPDATE: ISIS has issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attack. 39 victims from 14 different countries have been confirmed dead at press time.